With that, Ty left the lobby and proceeded toward the lab. The anxiety pounded into him like nothing ever had before. What could Angie’s ex-fiancé be doing there? Exactly which one of them was responsible for breaking off the engagement? Was Angie the one who made that decision or had the arrogant jerk he’d just encountered in the lobby been the one who hurt Angie by dumping her? A shiver of apprehension made its way through his body. Did she still have feelings for her ex-fiancé? Another twinge poked at Ty. If so, were they strong feelings?
Then he was forced to acknowledge the most painful thought of all. Would Caufield Woodrow III try to win Angie back? He shook his head. He had to get his rampaging thoughts under control. Perhaps Caufield’s personal matter with Mac didn’t have anything to do with Angie. Perhaps it was a business matter of some sort. A little tremor of anxiety told him that was only wishful thinking.
Ty quickly located Mac in the lab. “Sorry to interrupt your tests, but I thought you should know there’s someone in the lobby to see you who is very impatient and unhappy about being kept waiting.” He tried to project a nonchalant attitude, but knew he hadn’t been very successful. “All in all a rather unpleasant man.”
A slight frown crossed Mac’s forehead, a frown that managed to convey both confusion and irritation at the interruption. “What are you talking about? I’m really busy here and don’t have time to play guessing games.”
“Caufield Woodrow III is what I’m talking about.” He noted the look of surprise that darted across Mac’s face. “He just marched in the front door and demanded to see you immediately on what he referred to as a personal matter.”
Mac straightened up and placed the file folder on the table next to the design model he’d been working on. “Caufield is here?”
“Yep…right out there in the lobby. Is he always that arrogant?”
“I…uh…really couldn’t say. I’ve only been around him a couple of times. The first was at a party at his country club when he and Angie announced their engagement and the other occasion was a Christmas gathering at his family’s house.” A slight chuckle escaped his throat, one that did not really contain any humor. “House…we’re talking a very large mansion with a full household staff. It’s big bucks from old family money.”
“And…uh…” Ty wasn’t sure how to say what was on his mind or whether he should say it at all. “And it was Angie who broke off the engagement with him?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure how all of that happened or why. All I know is that she said the engagement was off.”
Mac’s answer did nothing to alleviate Ty’s rapidly expanding anxiety. He still didn’t know what happened between Angie and Caufield that resulted in breaking off the engagement. And he was afraid to ask her, afraid of what the answer might be—afraid it might have been Caufield who dumped Angie, leaving her carrying a torch for a lost love. All he knew was a man from Angie’s past was in the lobby and he didn’t like it. He also didn’t like the strange feelings it produced—feelings that were foreign to him. He thoroughly resented this interloper.
An errant thought floated into his mind. Could the strange feeling be jealousy? He had no experience with jealousy in connection with any woman he had ever dated. Everything was always no-strings-attached. There was always another beautiful and willing companion waiting in the wings. But this was an entirely different sensation…foreign…uncomfortable. He didn’t like these feelings and especially didn’t like what they were trying to tell him—that Angie was far more important to him than he had been willing to admit. That maybe the word love was more appropriate than he wanted it to be. He tried to shove the worries from his mind as he turned his attention to Mac.
“Well? Are you going to leave him sitting there?”
Mac sighed. “I suppose I should go and see what he wants, but he sure showed up at an inconvenient time for me. I’m just too busy to become involved in whatever is on his mind.”
“I’ll be happy to handle it for you.” Ty attempted to control the gleeful rush at the prospect of being able to put a quick stop to whatever Caufield had come to do and get him headed back toward Portland before Angie even knew he was in town. His upbeat moment disappeared as quickly as it had materialized. What would Angie’s reaction be if she found out he had sent her ex-fiancé packing without even telling her Caufield had come to see her brother? He shook his head in resignation. He couldn’t do that. He didn’t have the right to make that decision for her or interfere in her life in that manner.
“No, I’ll handle it. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes, as soon as I get this model put away.” Mac returned his attention to what he had been doing before Ty interrupted him.
Ty went to his office, making sure his door was wide open so he would know when Mac and Caufield went to Mac’s office. It’s not that he planned to eavesdrop on them, but if their conversation just happened to filter into his office…
The sound of Mac’s voice moving down the hallway toward the office interrupted his thoughts.
“I must say, Caufield, this is a surprise. I wish you would have called so I could have rearranged my schedule.”
“This was the only available time I had.”
Ty heard it in Caufield’s voice, the attitude that said his was the only valuable time, not anyone else’s—everyone had to accommodate his schedule.
Mac’s words were clipped, his attitude brusque. “That’s too bad because right now I only have a few minutes to give you. Whatever it is that’s so important you felt the need to demand to speak to me immediately…well, I suggest you start talking and make it quick.”
Ty moved away from his office door as the two men drew closer, but he stayed within hearing range. It was obvious that Mac did not particularly care for Caufield, but Ty didn’t know why. He did know that it gave him a surge of satisfaction, vindication for his own feelings toward someone he really didn’t know. As soon as Mac and Caufield entered Mac’s office, Ty stationed himself next to the office door and continued to listen while ignoring his feelings of guilt.
“All right, Caufield. What’s up?”
“I’m told Angelina is here, that she’s staying with you.”
“Yes, she’s staying with me. Now, is that all you wanted? To verify her whereabouts?”
“Not at all. I’m here to take her back to Portland with me. I’ve allowed her this bit of time to get over her pre-wedding jitters, but now she needs to return so we can complete our wedding plans.”
“That’s odd. Angie didn’t say anything to me about returning to Portland. I’m under the impression that she intends to stay in Seattle, get a job and find her own place to live.”
“Not at all. I’ll admit that we had a little tiff, but nothing serious. She’ll be returning to Portland with me. Now, I need your address so that I can collect her. I’ll send for her belongings and car when we get back to Portland.”
The words rang in Ty’s ears. Complete our wedding plans…she’ll be returning to Portland with me. It felt as if someone had landed a solid punch to his solar plexus. A sudden rush of fear burned in his throat. He strained to listen, but didn’t hear anything. They had stopped talking, but what could they be doing? Was Mac writing down his address to give it to Caufield? Why didn’t Mac just tell the arrogant jerk to take a hike? If Angie wanted to return to Portland she would do it on her own. She didn’t need someone to collect her.
If Angie wanted to return…suddenly all the wind went out of his sails, his indignation and determination faltered. If…only two letters, but such a powerful word.
Ty didn’t know what to think or what to do. He took a calming breath hoping it would help, but it didn’t. A sick feeling welled inside him. The possibilities forced their way into his thoughts, possibilities that he didn’t want to think about.
Mac’s voice broke into Ty’s mounting panic as the conversation from the next office resumed.
“Here’s my address.”
“I want you to call Angelina and let her know I
’m on my way so she can be ready to go when I arrive.”
“Sorry, Caufield. I’ve just given you all the time I can spare. As I said, you should have called and made an appointment.”
A moment later Ty saw Mac usher Caufield toward the lobby, then Mac returned to the lab. Mac’s actions sent a little ripple of satisfaction pushing its way through Ty’s body. There was no doubt in his mind that Mac did not like Caufield Woodrow III.
He hurried to the lab, catching up with Mac at the door. “So, what was that all about?”
“That was Angie’s ex-fiancé. He says he came here to escort her back to Portland so they can get married.”
The trepidation filled Ty’s voice attesting to his less-than-calm state of mind. “And you’re just going to let him do it?”
Mac leveled a steady look at Ty. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but haven’t I been told in no uncertain terms by both you and Angie that she is an adult and can speak for herself and make her own mature decisions? This is between Caufield and Angie. It’s not for me to decide what’s best for her. It’s her decision.”
Mac returned to the project he had been working on when Caufield arrived, leaving Ty standing there wondering what to say or do in response to Mac’s statement. He shook his head in resignation as he admitted there was nothing he could say. Mac had been right in not interfering, but it didn’t make Ty feel any better.
Ty returned to his office. Maybe he should drive over to Mac’s house as if he was unaware of Caufield being there. He shook his head in disgust. It was a lousy idea. But knowing what the right thing was and being happy with the decision were two entirely different matters. Yep, rushing to Mac’s house would definitely be a bad idea. And knowing that her ex-fiancé had arrived on the scene to take her back to Portland so they could be married did not make that decision any easier to accept.
He had a date with Angie that evening, as he had almost every night since her arrival. They had planned to go to the art gallery they had missed the night they first made love. He would pick her up as they had planned. They had something very special between them, something that couldn’t be shaken by the arrival of a former lover.
A little scowl wrinkled across Ty’s forehead as an unwanted thought invaded his logic. Caufield Woodrow III was more than a former lover. He was her ex-fiancé. He was a man who had not been afraid to make a commitment to their relationship.
A man who had asked her to marry him—a man who willingly sought out marriage—was a difficult thing to battle. It was the type of competition Ty had never been involved with. A little shudder of trepidation made its way through his body. He wasn’t at all sure what the hours ahead would bring.
Ty returned to his office and tried to concentrate on work, but it was an impossible task. Angie consumed his thoughts, his energy and his very existence. What would happen when Caufield reached Mac’s house? Maybe Angie wouldn’t be there. The thought brightened his mood, but only for a second or two. Caufield didn’t seem like the type who would be dissuaded that easily, not when he had driven from Portland for the single-minded purpose of taking Angie back with him.
“Caufield!” The shock spread through Angie when she opened the door and saw him standing on the porch. She remained frozen to the spot, unable to move. She finally managed to force out a few more words. “What are you doing here?”
“May I come in, Angelina? I’d prefer to discuss our business inside rather than out here on the porch.”
“Uh…yes, of course.” She stepped aside as he entered the house. “You said you were here to discuss business of some sort? What business do we have that would bring you to Seattle?”
He extended a smile. “Is that fresh coffee I smell?”
The initial shock of seeing him had worn off to be quickly replaced by a ripple of irritation. She was well acquainted with Caufield’s stalling tactics when he wanted to control things and force events into his predetermined schedule. His fresh coffee comment was just such a tactic.
“Yes, I just made some.” She didn’t offer him anything, not even a chair.
“Do you suppose I could have a cup?” He looked around the room. “And maybe sit down for a bit? I’ve just had a long drive from Portland and am a little weary.”
Angie gestured toward a chair, then disappeared into the kitchen. Her irritation level increased. Long drive from Portland. What an absurd thing for him to say. Did he really think she wasn’t aware of the fact that Portland to Seattle was less than a three-hour drive and it was Interstate highway the entire distance?
She returned to the living room a minute later carrying a mug of hot coffee which she handed to him. Caufield had seated himself on the sofa, so she purposely chose a chair on the other side of the coffee table.
“Thank you, Angelina dear.” He took a sip from the cup, then set it on the coffee table.
Angelina dear. It had such a condescending sound to it, one that grated on her nerves. At first it hadn’t bothered her all that much, but as the end of their relationship became apparent she found it more and more annoying.
“I would appreciate it if you would stop calling me that.”
He cocked his head and looked at her for a moment as if trying to figure out what she was talking about. “Calling you what, Angelina dear? If I’ve done something to offend you, then I’m truly sorry.”
There it was again. He was patronizing her. “My name is Angelina, not Angelina dear. Actually, I prefer Angie to Angelina.”
“No, no—Angie sounds so…I don’t know…so common. I much prefer your given name—Angelina, as in Angel.”
She attempted to suppress the sigh of resignation that forced its way out into the open. There was nothing to be gained by pursuing that line of conversation. “Why are you here, Caufield?”
“I thought that would have been obvious. I’m here to take you back to Portland with me so we can be married, just as we planned. There are lots of preparations that need to be tended to. Mother has already booked the country club for the reception following the ceremony and has set the menu. She wants you to wear her wedding dress. She made an appointment for you next Monday with her dressmaker to make the necessary alterations.”
There it was again. He had made all her decisions about the wedding, even down to the dress she would wear. His family had taken over the planning of everything even though it was supposed to be the bride’s decision. He was still attempting to suffocate her with his total control over every facet of her life.
And there was no way she would ever allow that to happen again.
“You seem to be confused, Caufield. Please listen carefully to what I’m about to say. We are no longer engaged. We are not getting married. I won’t be going back to Portland with you. I don’t know how much clearer I can be.”
“Now, Angelina…I understand about pre-wedding jitters. You’re feeling a little scared right now, which is certainly normal. But everything will be perfect. I can provide you with whatever you want. You won’t need to ever work again. I’ve already purchased our house and have Mother’s interior decorator ordering the furnishings. You’re going to love it.”
“Caufield—” Her voice rose in anger. “Why can’t you get it through your head that I don’t love you and will not be marrying you?”
“That’s nonsense. However, I can see that we won’t be returning to Portland today. I’m going to check into the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle. We can leave tomorrow if that’s more convenient for you.”
He paused to take a drink of his coffee. “Now that we have that settled, tell me what you have been doing since you’ve been here.”
He had done it to her again. How typical of Caufield. He had dismissed her comments as if they had no relevance to anything. Then he had moved on by adopting the air of someone interested in her activities. Somehow she didn’t think he would really want to know exactly what she had been doing since her arrival at her brother’s house. And exactly what had that been?
She had fallen in
love with the most incredible man she had ever met—lover, charmer, caring companion…someone who listened to her and expressed a genuine interest in her likes and dislikes. She had established a brand-new relationship with her brother. She had never felt so alive and excited about what the future held.
Somehow she had to make Caufield listen to her, to accept that they were through. Maybe if she approached the problem from a different angle. She sat on the couch next to him and spoke softly, trying to make each word sound as sincere as it truly was.
“Caufield…you have a lot to offer to the right woman, but I’m not that woman.” She made eye contact with him, holding his gaze. “I could never be happy living the type of life you offer, nor could I be the kind of wife that you want. You deserve someone who will love you all-out and want the same things from life that you do. I’m not that person.”
“Of course you are. How could anyone not want everything I have to offer and I’m offering it all to you on a silver platter.”
“No, you’re offering me what you think is the ideal relationship. You’ve never bothered to find out what it is that I want from a relationship or what I want out of life. I’m afraid your silver platter has too many strings attached to it.” Not the least of which is your overbearing mother. It was certainly no mystery where he learned to be so controlling or why his father had finally thrown his hands up in the air, said goodbye and walked out the door never to be seen again. “There can’t be a marriage without love.”
His voice was very matter-of-fact, without any real emotion attached to it. “I love you, Angelina, and you love me. You said so when we became engaged.”
“I thought I did, but I later realized that you had overwhelmed me with your dazzling courtship. Once my head came down from the clouds I knew I needed to live in reality, not on some ivory pedestal built to your specifications.”
Caufield’s gaze shifted around the room, then came to rest on his coffee mug. “I see that I haven’t given you quite enough time to get this out of your system.” He rose to his feet, placed his hands on her shoulders and stared at her for a moment. “As I said, I’ll be checking into the Four Seasons. We’ll talk again tomorrow. You’ll ride back to Portland with me. I’ll send someone for your car.”
In Forbidden Territory Page 12